Styrene

CAS number 100-42-5

Description

Styrene is a colourless to yellow, oily liquid with a sweet, floral odours. It vapours heavier than air, and causes irritation to mucous membranes. It is less dense than water and insoluble in water.

Uses

Styrene is widely used to make plastics and rubber. Consumer products containing styrene include: packaging materials, insulation for electrical uses (i.e., wiring and appliances), insulation for homes and other buildings, fiberglass, plastic pipes, automobile parts, drinking cups and other “food-use” items, carpet backing.

Styrene can be found in air, soil, and water after release from the manufacture, use, and disposal of styrene-based products.

Styrene is occasionally detected in groundwater, drinking water, or soil samples. Drinking water containing styrene or bathing in water containing styrene may expose you to low levels of this chemical.

Indoor air exposure is common due to styrene emissions from building materials, consumer products, some craft materials, printer/copiers and tobacco smoke.

Why it can be problematic for human and animal health

Exposure to styrene can be by inhalation or through skin or eye contact.

Styrene is shown in scientific literature as being associated with the following chronic health impacts:

Can cause or exacerbate asthma and respiratory disorders
Can lead to hearing loss
CNS dysfunction, impacting short term memory and co-ordination
Can alter liver function
Can cause dizziness, headaches and fatigue
Can cause vision changes
Can cause cardiac arrythmia
Considered to be a possible human carcinogen, with studies on leukaemia and lymphoma
Mental health, e.g. contributing towards depression and/or anxiety

Acute exposure of humans to styrene leads to respiratory distress, eye irritation and gastrointestinal effects.

Please note any adverse health effects that you may encounter in exposure to a chemical depend on several factors, including the amount to which you are exposed (dose), the way you are exposed, the duration of exposure, the form of the chemical and if you were exposed to any other chemicals.